?


    Vrie took a lighthearted approach, saying, "Dad, it''s not your fault. Besides, Mr. Sumner is already helping ourpany. I believe we''ll get through this."


    Brandon handed Jonathan a ss of water and added, "She''s right, Mr. Weir. Here, drink some water."


    It was only then that Jonathan remembered Brandon was in the room. He nced at Brandon and took the ss with a poker face.


    After seeing Brandon holding Vrie just moments earlier, he found him less likable now, despite having praised him as a young, promising businessman to Phoebe.


    Brandon then handed Phoebe a ss of water, which she epted with a smile. "Thank you, Mr. Brandon."


    "Please, Mrs. Weir, just call me Brandon," he said.


    Phoebe, surprised by his casual tone, nodded. "Brandon, you and Vrie..."


    "I''m Vrie''s boyfriend now," Brandon replied straightforwardly.


    Jonathan choked on his water and coughed heavily.


    Brandon quickly took the ss from him, patting him on the back. "Mr. Weir, are you alright?"


    Jonathan waved his hand. Once his coughing subsided, he turned to Vrie, his face strained. "Vrie, what''s going on?"


    Vrie had only broken off her engagement to Zayn that evening, and now Brandon was iming to be her boyfriend?


    Vrie red at Brandon, preparing to exin herself, but Brandon spoke first. "Mr. Weir, it''s not Vrie''s fault. I fell in love with her at first sight five years ago and have been pursuing her ever since.


    "Tonight, when I heard she''d broken things off with Zayn, I confessed to her, and she agreed to be with me."


    He insisted, "This is all on me. If you''re going to me anyone, please me me, not her."


    Jonathan frowned, about to say something, but Phoebe grabbed his arm and pinched him sharply, making him wince.


    She smiled at Brandon. "Brandon,


    we don''t want to interfere with our daughter''s rtionship choices. We just hope she finds someone who will treat her well. If she''s chosen you, we trust her judgment and hope you won''t disappoint us."


    Brandon nodded sincerely, promising, "I won''t let her down. I promise to take care of her."


    Phoebe smiled and nodded. "Alright. It''s gettingte, and we have a meeting with thewyer early tomorrow. We should get going now." "I''ll see you out," Brandon offered.


    Before Jonathan could object, Phoebe tugged him out of the room.


    Once they were alone in the elevator, Jonathan grumbled, "Why did you keep interrupting me back there?"


    Vrie had just broken things off with Zayn and gone through an ordeal, and now she was suddenly dating Brandon. What if she regretted itter?


    "Just let the young people handle their affairs. Vrie knows what she''s doing," Phoebe replied.


    uffed.


    Jonathan huffed. "But I''m worried


    et


    she''s being taken advantage of. Brandon seemed like such an upstanding guy before, but now it looks like he''s taking advantage of her while she''s still vulnerable. I guess I misjudged him!"


    Phoebe chuckled. "You''re worried about losing your little girl and feel powerless to stop it."


    Jonathan''s face turned red at being exposed, and his voice stiffened. just don''t want Vrie to get hurt. If she wants, we''ll support her for the rest of her life."